Minneapolis is in a state of siege, according to city leaders, as the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities has escalated into a military occupation. The Department of Homeland Security's "Operation Metro Surge" has deployed over 3,000 federal agents, outnumbering the Minneapolis police force five to one.
The tactics used by the federal agents are becoming increasingly aggressive and indiscriminate. Armed officers have been spotted at schools, daycares, churches, and mosques, while masked agents stop residents on the street and demand they prove their citizenship. Even those with legal immigration status and valid visas are being targeted, as well as US citizens and tribal citizens.
A recent supreme court ruling has given federal agents permission to stop, question, and detain people based on appearance, accent, or vocation, emboldening them to take action against private residents without judicial warrants. This has led to reports of agents breaking into homes and detaining residents, including a 38-year-old Liberian man who was arrested after his door was broken down.
Minneapolis's 911 dispatchers are overwhelmed with calls from residents who have encountered immigration enforcement, and the city's police chief has expressed concern about the use of chemical irritants and crowd-control weapons by federal agents. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota has stated that the administration is "emboldened" and feels it has the right to act beyond its authority.
The operation has had a significant impact on local businesses, with approximately 80% of immigrant-run businesses closed last week. Restaurants have posted signs barring federal agents and locked their doors, while community organizers are providing free services such as towing abandoned vehicles taken by ICE.
Residents are living in fear, with some reporting feeling like they're being strangled by the economic impact of the operation. One woman from Colombia expressed her fears about being targeted by authorities, comparing it to her ancestors' experiences during civil war in Colombia in the 1940s and 50s.
Locals have stepped up to organize mutual aid efforts and food-delivery services for immigrants too afraid to leave their homes. Community organiser Andrew Falstrom noted that while locals are doing everything they can to protect their communities, it's not a match for the federal force backed by billions of dollars.
The tactics used by the federal agents are becoming increasingly aggressive and indiscriminate. Armed officers have been spotted at schools, daycares, churches, and mosques, while masked agents stop residents on the street and demand they prove their citizenship. Even those with legal immigration status and valid visas are being targeted, as well as US citizens and tribal citizens.
A recent supreme court ruling has given federal agents permission to stop, question, and detain people based on appearance, accent, or vocation, emboldening them to take action against private residents without judicial warrants. This has led to reports of agents breaking into homes and detaining residents, including a 38-year-old Liberian man who was arrested after his door was broken down.
Minneapolis's 911 dispatchers are overwhelmed with calls from residents who have encountered immigration enforcement, and the city's police chief has expressed concern about the use of chemical irritants and crowd-control weapons by federal agents. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota has stated that the administration is "emboldened" and feels it has the right to act beyond its authority.
The operation has had a significant impact on local businesses, with approximately 80% of immigrant-run businesses closed last week. Restaurants have posted signs barring federal agents and locked their doors, while community organizers are providing free services such as towing abandoned vehicles taken by ICE.
Residents are living in fear, with some reporting feeling like they're being strangled by the economic impact of the operation. One woman from Colombia expressed her fears about being targeted by authorities, comparing it to her ancestors' experiences during civil war in Colombia in the 1940s and 50s.
Locals have stepped up to organize mutual aid efforts and food-delivery services for immigrants too afraid to leave their homes. Community organiser Andrew Falstrom noted that while locals are doing everything they can to protect their communities, it's not a match for the federal force backed by billions of dollars.
3k fed agents in Minneapolis is straight up crazy. They're outnumbering the local cops 5 to 1 lol what's next? 
They're targeting legit ppl with visas and passports too...this ain't no drill anymore. The city's already got a bad rep, now it's like they're trying to make it worse. Community organiser Andrew is right tho, this is one fight they can't win with just goodwill and free food 
. We need real change here, not just some PR stunt to calm the masses 
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. They shouldn't have to live in fear all the time. It's not fair that one group of people gets to dictate how everyone lives their lives 
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. We need to stand up for our rights, but we also need to be reasonable and respectful. Can't we find a way to resolve this without resorting to all this aggression? 
. We just gotta stick together and support each other during times like these 
Like I checked the stats and it's shown that this operation has already cost Minneapolis $20 million in lost economic activity since last week. 
It's like they're using some kinda psychological warfare to make ppl feel scared and powerless.
Did you know that the number of 911 calls about immigration enforcement has increased by 500% in just one week? 
It's like they're trying to create some kinda chaos.
I looked up the demographics and it turns out that 70% of the people affected by this operation are native-born US citizens or tribal members. 
The economic impact is huge, with 1 in 5 immigrant-run restaurants forced to close their doors. 
Andrew Falstrom said that local efforts can't compete with billions of dollars in funding for fed agencies... 
. I mean, what's next? Deploying the military to keep the peace in our own cities?! 
. That's just a recipe for abuse of power! It's like they're trying to take away all sense of due process and civil liberties.
. But it's not enough! We need more than just community spirit to take on this kind of federal overreach 
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. And what about those immigrants who have been living here for years with valid visas?! Are they not citizens too?! 
it's like they're above the law. and 80% of immigrant-run businesses closed?! that's devastating. i'm so glad there are community organizers stepping up to help, but it's crazy how much of a power imbalance we have here. federal force vs local orgs... 
And the fact that they're breaking into homes and detaining people without a warrant is totally unacceptable. 
It's breaking my heart to see all these families being torn apart and living in fear 
...
. I mean, what's next? Showing up at your doorstep and saying 'you don't look right'? It's like they think everyone's guilty until proven innocent 
. We need to stand with these communities and support them, not turn a blind eye 
. Can't we all just get along without resorting to this kind of aggression? 
. gotta give props to the community organizers tho, they're doin everything they can to support each other. but at the end of the day, its just not fair 
but noooo, the trump admin is all like "we got this" 
but now they're being treated like criminals. it's not right... we need to stand with our immigrant communities and show them that we care 
. The fact that those with valid visas and US citizenship are being targeted alongside immigrants is a stark reminder that our nation's values of inclusivity and justice have been compromised 
. It's heartening to see community organizers stepping up to provide mutual aid services, but it's clear that the federal government's actions are creating a toxic environment that's unsustainable 
. The economic impact on immigrant-run businesses is already huge and it's heartbreaking to see those communities getting crushed 
. This feels like a perfect storm of fear, anxiety, and economic hardship – I hope someone comes up with a solution soon 
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. The idea that 3,000 federal agents are outnumbering the local police five to one is terrifying 
. This is a human rights crisis, and we need to take action ASAP 
.
? It's time for someone to stand up to this and say, "Hey, that's not how it works in a democracy" 
. We need action, we need compassion, and we need some common sense 
. This is not how we build a better America for everyone 
. And those chemical irritants and crowd-control weapons? Give me a break! It's like the feds are trying to create a war zone in Minneapolis 
meanwhile locals r trying to organize mutual aid efforts & food delivery services 4 immigrants too afraid to leave their homes 
?